Essay on A Study of Gladiator - 1684 Words

A Study of Gladiator This is a study of the 1999 box-office hit, Gladiator, starring Russell Crowe. In this article, I will be looking at camera shots, soundtrack, special effects and other things, that enhance the viewing of the film, and increase its quality. We watched the first forty minutes of the film, and were asked to analyse its media attributes. The film is set in the Caesar period, at the end of the reign of Marco Aurelius. The main opening scene is set in Germania, and it is the beginning of a battle, but the end of a war, between the Roman legion and some barbarians. The very first scene is not a reality shot, its a dream shot. The scene itself is at Maximus home, in his†¦show more content†¦Having spoken to Quintus, Maximus rides his horse over to the cavalry. I noticed that on the way to the cavalry all of the infantry Maximus passes rises, probably in honour and to show their respect for him. The camera follows Maximus on his horse, while showing all of the soldiers in the background. Then, when Maximus reaches the rest of his cavalry, the camera angle changes, to the view of an onlooker, looking at all of the cavalry surrounding Maximus. Then, the angle again changes to being closer to Maximus, and shows him talking to the men about how if they fall down and wake up in green grass, they are already dead, in the kingdom of Elysium. This is significant because he is giving his men confidence, and he is making them feel better because they may be in the face of death. This also shows the influence Maximus himself has over them, not just because of his authority, but because of his friendship to them. What he says to them is both quite positive, but then also very negative, in saying that they might die, but then saying that if they do they will be in the eternal paradise, Elysium. Having said this, the next shot the camera gives is one of an archer, who is going to give the signal to theShow MoreRelatedThe Gladiator Games Jeffrey Castro1175 Words   |  5 PagesResearch Paper- The Gladiator Games Jeffrey Castro When you think about the Roman Empire and their culture, it is hard to not think about the gladiator games. To the romans, the gladiator games were more than just a sport. They were a huge part of their history and culture. In our modern times, there are many misconceptions about the gladiator games and the gladiators themselves. The gladiators are often thought of as either slaves being forced to fight to the death or as blood-crazed barbariansRead MoreGladitorial Combat in Ancient Rome Essay766 Words   |  4 Pagesof the bloodthirsty entertainment was in the form of the gladiator. The word gladiator comes from the Latin for swordsman, from gladius or sword. The first gladiators were part of a sacrificial rite adopted from the Etruscans in 264, BC, nearly 500 years after the founding of Rome (Johnston 238). The sons of Junius Brutus first displayed gladiatorial combat when they honored their father at his funeral by matching three pairs of gladiators. Gladiatorial combat was or iginally part of a religiousRead MoreSummary : Emperor Commodus 1581 Words   |  7 Pages earlier rebellion, when he mistakenly thought Marcus Aurelius had died, might well have been inspired by a fear of what was to come if Commodus came to the throne. Commodus was a crazed power lunatic who thought he was a God and fought in the Gladiator events thinking he could not die. Commodus was in fact a terrible one. Cruelty, vanity, power and fear formed into a terrifyingly dangerous mix of bloodlust, suspicion and megalomania. Commodus should be remembered as a monster, a tyrant who renamedRead MoreThe Ancient Roman Empire879 Words   |  4 Pagescolossal empire, was the emperor himself. One man that almost every dictator looks to as a shining example is Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar traveled a lot as kid. And when he was young he was kidnapped by pirates. He also traveled around the world to study and became a great war general (sited by vroma.org). Statues of him still are in a lo t of museums and public places. He has made an impact to the old world so big that it moved cultures and united ideas. Caesar, who won the hearts and popularityRead MoreThe Value of Physical Education to the Ancient Greeks and Romans1574 Words   |  7 PagesChristians, criminals, and other political prisoners engage in brutal competitions ending in death. These are the people known as Roman gladiators. Roman gladiators also consisted of free men who volunteered to participate in the games (Roman, 2000). The Romans preferred to watch the free men, although the slaves were well-liked entertainment. By becoming gladiators, these lower class free men gained the admiration and popularity of the wealthy Roman citizens. Criminals that had committed a capitalRead MoreIncreased Violence of Video Games Players Essay932 Words   |  4 Pagesgame and on the microphone. This key aspect gives people more reason to open up and communicate with their team mates giving them a better gaming experience overall. As well as games helping overcome anxiety, they also help reduce stress. Numerous studies have been done in this area and it has *** been scientifically proven that video games are better at reducing stress than medication; games are an escape from the hardships of reality. In the game you can develop an alter ego who can go on adventuresRead MoreThe Rise of the Papacy948 Words   |  4 Pages Lastly, there will be a brief look at the positive and negative ramifications that ensued from the churches rise to power. This paper will not be an exhaustive look into the rise of the papacy, but instead will provide a good place to start ones study into the subject. THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE The fall of the Roman Empire is not a short discussion nor is it conclusive in nature, because no historians can seem to agree on the exact cause or causes of the fall. However, most historians do agreeRead MoreClassical Influences On Modern Films And Literature1171 Words   |  5 PagesSimilarly, the 2004-film Troy, based loosely on Homer’s the Iliad, tells the story of Achilles and the Trojan War. Troy was a critical success, grossing nearly 500 million dollars worldwide. But the movie did not exhibit merely entertainment values: studies found Troy also established on the male demographics the need to possess a strong physique and mentality. It is clearly visible, therefore, that the representations of Greek mythology in modern adaptations can alter our interpretation of the society’sRead MoreThe Roman Empire912 Words   |  4 PagesPaper B To many people, the mention of the Roman Empire invokes thoughts of gladiators, debauchery, and the abuse of power. To others, it brings visualizations of classic statues, beautiful temples, and mythological gods. The Roman Empire was all of that and more. The saying, â€Å"Rome wasn’t built in a day† is true and its fall and decline happened gradually as well. Ancient Rome has inspired volumes of historical works, theatrical plays, and even movies in more recent times. More specifically,Read MoreAncient Greece And Rome Vs. Rome1179 Words   |  5 Pagesthe 2004 film Troy, based loosely on Homer’s the Iliad, tells the story of the hero Achilles and the Trojan War. Troy was a critical success, grossing nearly 500 million dollars worldwide. But the movie did not exhibit merely entertainment values: studies found Troy also established on the male demographics the need to possess a strong physique and mentality. It is clearly visible, therefore, that the repre sentations of Greek mythology in modern adaptations can alter our interpretation of the society’s

Recipe for a Perfect Party Free Essays

So you need to plan a party. Where do you begin? Party planning involves many steps and is essential to being a good host or hostess. Parties can vary from theme, to size, to guests attending. We will write a custom essay sample on Recipe for a Perfect Party or any similar topic only for you Order Now Three major steps in any perfect party is choosing a date, creating a menu, and setting the atmosphere. Choosing a date is the first step in planning a party. For example, if you are planning a Christmas party, chances are your guests will have other parties to attend this time of year and you won’t want this to interfere with your party.This is also crucial as you need to make your invitations and RSVP’s to know when your guests will or will not be likely to attend. Ask your potential guests when would be the best time for them. This not only gathers information for your party but also relieves the stress in not knowing how much time you have to prepare, including creating a menu. The second step in planning a party is choosing and creating a menu. This can tie into the theme or main reason for your party I. e. : Christmas/New Year’s Eve, Birthday, Wedding etc.If your theme is Christmas/New Year’s you may want to go all out and have an expensive menu as opposed to a Birthday party where you may only want to have pot luck. Creating a menu also includes drinks- both hot and cold, desserts and finger foods. Often a key ingredient in parties, drinking allows your guests to socialize and get more acquainted with each other. Make things interesting by having a dessert table served buffet style. You may also want to use this serving style for serving finger foods, or drinks. This way guests can help themselves which may alleviate stress of serving food or beverages at specific times. Such foods/beverages that may be served buffet style may include Do-it-yourself cocktails, fresh fruits and vegetables- suitable for dips, cheese and crackers, or even a chocolate fountain. This is a simple but effective way in making your party a pleasant experience and can also be used in a variety of parties. The second element is whether you will be making the food yourself or hiring a caterer. If you are making the food yourself, take into consideration any dietary requirements of your guests. Are there any guests allergic to anything?Are any guests vegetarian? The last thing you want is someone getting sick or not having anything to eat thus leaving your guest(s) hungry. Also, recognize what time of day your party will be held in relation to the time the food will be served. For instance, if your party is to be held at 2:00pm you are not likely to serve a complete 3 course meal. The third step but not necessarily the final step in planning a perfect party is the creating your atmosphere. This is often the most time consuming step as it involves a variety of things, but can also be the most fun.Creativity is key in setting the perfect atmosphere. Location, music and decorations are covered in this step. Select a location that can be tied into your theme. For example if you are having a winter or Christmas themed party, you may want to host your event at a skating rink. When selecting your location, ask if there are any features- which may be beneficial to your party, such as a sound/light system, dance floor or kitchen area. Most locations that are commonly used for this type of entertaining have some of these features.Music- a key component in parties- can set the mood for a memorable party. Keep things inexpensive by using your own CDs or songs. This saves money on renting a DJ or other music service and you also know what your getting which will help avoid disappointment. Create a song list that relates to your theme. If you are having a New Year’s Eve party, you may want to include the traditional â€Å"Auld Lang Syne† or other holiday related songs. You may also want to ask your guests which genre of music or artists they like. Be sure to include both fast and slow music- perfect for dancing! Decorations which are the finishing touch on any party, are a great way in showing off your creativity and ideas. These can vary both big and small, expensive or inexpensive. One easy way to decorate is making your own homemade decorations. For a Christmas party, use a Christmas ornament with your guests name on it as a place card. This doubles as a party favour. Other decorating ideas may include grouping together unscented candles of different heights and colors that suit your theme.This is perfect for some ambiance lighting, and it’s also effective for those who have allergies-because there are no flowers or strong perfumes involved. If your party takes you outside, decorate the outside using simple but attractive white lights. Lights of any color, can be used any time of year and easily adds that festive feel. Among other decorations, offer your guests an area for photo opportunities such as a backdrop that may include a swing to sit on, a festive scene or, if available, something as simple as the scenery. This will allow for others to look back and appreciate your party long after it has ended.As you can see, party planning involves many details, options and time, and can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Every party is different and there is no right or wrong way to plan but starting with these three simple steps, you are on your way to planning the perfect party of any theme or type, perfectly. You chose your date, created your menu, and decorated your venue. Also one of (if not) the most important steps in planning a perfect party is to do just that. Party! Have fun, relax and enjoy yourself! P. S- Leave the cleanup for tomorrow, you deserve it! How to cite Recipe for a Perfect Party, Papers

Relationship of Neanderthals to Modern Humans free essay sample

After extracting ancient DNA from the 40,000-year-old bones of Neanderthals, scientists have obtained a draft sequence of the Neanderthal genome, yielding important new insights into the evolution of modern humans. No other ancient people have aroused more controversy and confusion over the last century and a half than have the Neanderthals (3,4). There is an on-going debate as to whether they should be considered Homo sapiens. While the idea that modern humans originated in Africa and spread out to other parts of the world is widely accepted, several scenarios have been proposed to account for the replacement of neanderthal populations. The multi regional hypothesis holds that neanderthal populations in Eurasia and Africa were held together by gene flow. Fossil and genetic evidence supports an African origin for Modern Humans (1,3,5,9,10). A decade after scientists first cracked the human genome, researchers announced that they have done the same for Neanderthals, the species of hominid that existed from roughly 400,000 to 30,000 years ago, when their closest relatives, early modern humans, may have driven them to extinction (1,3,5,9,10). We will write a custom essay sample on Relationship of Neanderthals to Modern Humans or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Led by ancient-DNA expert Svante Paabo of Germanys Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, scientists reconstructed about 60% of the Neanderthal genome by analyzing tiny chains of ancient DNA extracted from bone fragments of three female Neanderthals excavated in the late 1970s and early 80s from a cave in Croatia (6,8). The bones are 38,000 to 44,000 years old. The genetic information turned up some intriguing findings, indicating, for instance, that at some point after early modern humans migrated out of Africa, they mingled and mated with Neanderthals, possibly in the Middle East or North Africa as much as 80,000 years ago (5,7,10). If that is the case, it occurred significantly earlier than scientists who support the interbreeding hypothesis would have expected. Comparisons with DNA from modern humans show that some Neanderthal DNA has survived to the present (3,4,7). Moreover, by analyzing ancient DNA alongside modern samples, scientists were able to identify a handful of genetic changes that evolved in modern humans sometime after their ancestors and Neanderthals diverged, 440,000 to 270,000 years ago (2,4). Researchers compared the Neanderthal genome with the genomes of five living people: one San from southern Africa, one Yoruba from West Africa, one Papua New Guinean, one Han Chinese and one French person (2,4,6). Scientists discovered that 1% to 4% of the latter three DNA samples is shared with Neanderthals — proof that Neanderthals and early modern humans interbred. The absence of Neanderthal DNA in the genomes of the two present-day Africans indicates that interbreeding occurred after some root population of early modern humans left Africa but before the species evolved into distinct groups in Europe and Asia (1,3,5,9,10). All studies of Neanderthal genomic DNA use material obtained from fossilized Neanderthal bones that are tens of thousands of years old. As one might expect, the quality of the material that can be recovered from such specimens is very poor, as DNA degrades over time. Consequently, there is wide variability in DNA preservation among available Neanderthal specimens, and most Neanderthal bones yield no usable DNA (2,3,4). When present, Neanderthal genomic DNA is recovered in short (50- to 100-bp) fragments (2,3,4) The information content of Neanderthal DNA is also degraded: Individual nucleotides are subject to chemical modification, with deamination of cytosine to uracil the most common lesion (2,4). Moreover, the fragments of Neanderthal genomic DNA are mixed with microbial contaminants that constitute gt;90% of the recovered DNA. The amount of DNA damage and microbial contamination are dependent on ambient environmental conditions: The ancient specimens that have provided the most intact DNA are mammoth remains recovered from permafrost. These specimens often include preserved hair shafts and soft tissues from which relatively high-quality DNA can be recovered (2,4,5). None of the Neanderthal specimens providing the DNA for whole-genome sequencing approach this level of preservation (2,4,5,6). In addition to these challenges, ancient specimens frequently become contaminated with modern human DNA during handling and DNA extraction.

Salomon v salomon free essay sample

This essay will examine the legal standing of the doctrine of separate legal personality as it was developed in Salomon v. Salomon Co Ltd [1897] AC 22. Even though this doctrine is the stone head of the English company common law, the courts introduced several exceptions which undermined the veil of incorporation. The exceptions were firstly introduced in the mid-60s by Lord Denning in Littlewoods Mail Order Stores Ltd. V IRC [1969], and allowed the court to lift the veil and hold the shareholders liable for the companys actions. The main reason for the courts to lift the veil is where the shareholders had abused the privileges of limited liability and incorporation. Corporate personality and incorporation Incorporation is the procedure of stating a company as separate legal personality from its shareholders. At the time when a company is incorporated, it becomes a separate legal personality; namely it has legal existence in the eye of law. We will write a custom essay sample on Salomon v salomon or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page By corporate personality it is considered that the company has a different identification from its members and the members liability is extended only up to the amount they have to pay for their shares. One of the main effects of limited liability is that the company carries its own contracts. The companys creditors can take action only against the company even though sometimes they will not be able to retrieve their money back if the company is liquidated. Furthermore, the company is not affected from the death or the decision of a member who withdraws. It might affect the functions of the company but it will still exist. A company owns its own assets. The assets belong to the company; the members have no rights over companys property. This provides security to the creditors as the shareholders will not be able to extract the assets out of the company and reduce companys value. Salomon v Salomon . Co Salomon had a business as a sole trader and decided to enlarge it to a company called Salomon Co Ltd. His family held from one share each and he held the remaining largest portion of shares. After the sale of the business, the company paid in return cash to Salomon and his family and debentures to Salomon in person. Soon the company faced financial problems and Mr. Salomon and another creditor had to lend the company money. Unfortunately the company came into liquidation and the liquidators supported that the debenture was invalid as Mr. Salomon was a creditor of Salomon Co Ltd; his own company. Even though the High Court held that the creditors allowed claiming against Mr. Salomon, the House of Lords held that the company was correctly incorporated; it was not relevant that the other members of the company had not as important part as him. Thus Mr. Salomon and Salomon Co Ltd were two different entities and the redemption of debentures was a priority. Salomon’s case was remarkable in extending the principle of separate personality. Even though after incorporation the company has the same nature it is a different legal person from its creators. The company is not an agent of its creator and he is no liable for the company unless it is provided by the Act. The effect of the doctrine laid down in Salomon v Salomon The Lords in the Salomon case stated that: The company is at law a different person altogether from the [shareholders] ; and, though it may be that after incorporation the business is precisely the same as it was before, and the same persons are managers, and the same hands received the profits, the company is not in law the agent of the [shareholders] or trustee for them. Nor are the [shareholders], as members, liable in any shape or form, except to the extent and in the manner provided for by the Act. Accordingly, it can be argued that Salomon case established the doctrine of separate legal entity and limited liability. Once a company is lawfully incorporated, the members enjoy limited liability with no regard to several circumstances such as the number of the members and the fact that a member may be the only director or employee. The most important effect of limited liability is that the shareholders are not liable for any debts as the company is a separate legal identity. In the case of bankruptcy, members personal assets are protected and out of reach by the companys creditors. The Salomon case safeguarded members personal property and offered members a security as they can have earnings from the company while they are protected. However, this protection offered by the Court to companys members made the companys creditors skeptical, since, in some cases the company was used to defraud the creditors and the state. The courts had to balance the protection to shareholders and the injustice against the creditors. Accordingly, the courts had to be ready to ignore the doctrine of separate legal personality and lift the veil of incorporation in cases where the company is incorporated in order to defraud. Case of Littlewoods Mail Order Stores Ltd V Inland Revenue Commissioners and the statement of Lord Denning Lord Denning was the precursor of lifting the veil of incorporation. Specifically, in the case Littlewoods Mail Order Stores Ltd. V IRC [1969], Littlewoods rented premises on 99 year lease from Oddfellows, on a very low price (? 23444). Later the value of money changed and after 22 years Littlewoods and Oddfellows decided to find a way to both benefit. Oddfellows transferred the premises to Fork Manufacturing Co. Ltd. , a wholly-owned subsidiary of Littlewoods. F. M let the premises to Oddfellows for 22 years and 10 days at ? 6 per year. The lease 99years lease was surrendered and Oddfellows became a lessee of the company for 22 years with rent ? 42450 per year. Littlewoods appealed to the special commissioners against assessments to income tax supporting that tax benefits were associated with land acquired for subsidiary. The commissioners did not accept the appeals after detecting that the purpose of Littlewoods getting into contract was to ensure for its subsidiary the freehold reversion while maintaining occupation in the context of under lease. Hence, the ? 19006 was not an outcome of the company’s business and the deduction was forbidden by section by section 137 (a) and (f) of the Income Tax Act, 1952. 1 The House of Lords held that he could not recognize the parent company and the subsidiary as one at the present case. Lord Denning supported that the courts have to be prepared to look behind a company and find the real purpose of its creation and operation. The court’s decision in Littlewoods case balanced the protection of the shareholders and the risk undertaken by companys creditors. The courts managed successfully to offer protection to creditors without opening the floodgates for actions against the innocent members. This was accomplished by carefully regulating and stating the exceptions to the doctrine of separate legal entity and limited liability. Concept of lifting the corporate veil and the circumstances when the courts will apply this In some cases entrepreneurs try to take advantage of the veil of incorporation for deception purposes. Therefore, the courts may find that this liability protection should not apply and lift the corporate veil. This allows creditors to recover damages from the members personal assets if the corporate assets are not enough to compensate them. The lifting of corporate veil is adopted to prevent any violation of the incorporation and it targets only those responsible for the situation. The veil can also be lifted when the defendant uses the company to evade any legal responsibilities (Jones v Lipman [1962] 1 All ER 442), when the company is a sham or facade and it is created for fraud. The relevant leading authority is Trustor AB Smallbone (No. 2) [2001] 1 WRL 1177. The company was a sham and created as a ‘mask’ to help the transfer of money, it was involved in the impropriety and thus it was necessary to lift the veil for the purposes of justice. In general, the veil is lifted in cases where the company is used as a mask to mediate or hide the real reason of its creation. A director cannot hide behind the representative liability of his company where he is fraudulent. According to the Insolvency Act 1986 under the section 213,214 a director is liable if in the case of liquidation of the company, it is discovered that the company carried on for fraudulent reasons. Moreover, he is also liable for wrongful trading if at that time knew or should have known that there was no reasonable possibility that the company would avoid going to liquidation. When the director is deprived of his legal rights but still continues to act, then he will also be jointly and severally responsible for any liabilities and debts of the company. Additionally, the veil is lifted for the benefit of the nation or the community (Daimler Co. v Continental Tyro Co Ltd [1916] 2 AC 307). Finally, when the company equitable winds up; it is treated as a partnership even though there is no contract, when abuses legal procedures (Re Bugle Press [1961- Ch. 270]) or if the company of a group does not fill a group account in conjunction with individual accounts then the ‘cape’ is lifted. The circumstances of lifting the veil are not always straightforward and each case has to be examined individually. Conclusion Salomon v Salomon established the corporate veil in English courts and it offered protection to the shareholders of the company. Despite this, the boundaries of this security have changed over the years. The courts tried to balance the protection of the shareholders and the risk faced by creditors of the company and accordingly the Littlewoods case established the first exceptions to the general rule of limited liability. This resulted to the fact that the members of the company sometimes may be equally and personally liable. Lifting the veil of incorporation, should be confined to the cases which the companies are used as masks for defraud. The veil should not be used wrongly, as, that will lead to arbitrary shield for those who want to divert the power of Company Law.